Methods and system design for providing leak detection of volatile liquid hydrocarbon vapors

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to a ventilation unit configured to exhaust drawn-in air from an enclosure, and a detection unit integrated with the ventilation unit and configured to detect a vapor. Embodiments are directed to a collection mechanism configured to collect liquid, a detection unit configured to sample vapor emitted from the liquid of the collection mechanism, and a ventilation unit integrated with the detection unit and configured to exhaust the vapor subsequent to the vapor having been sampled by the detection unit.

1 . A system comprising:
 a ventilation unit configured to exhaust drawn-in air from an enclosure; and   a detection unit integrated with the ventilation unit and configured to detect a vapor.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , where the vapor is associated with evaporation of a liquid contained in a closed environment. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the closed environment is at least partially defined by a floor comprising openings configured to drain the liquid into a collection mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the detection unit is integrated with the ventilation unit via a common fan or blower. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vapor is heavier than air. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vapor comprises smoke. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the detection unit is configured to cause an action to be taken when an amount of the vapor exceeds a threshold. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one damper configured as an inlet for the drawn-in air.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ventilation unit is configured to exhaust the vapor after the vapor is sampled by the detection unit. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an outlet; and   an isolation mechanism configured to selectively transfer liquid associated with the vapor from a collection mechanism to the outlet.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the isolation mechanism comprises a valve, and wherein a position of the valve is determined by the detection unit. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus comprising:
 a collection mechanism configured to collect liquid;   a detection unit configured to sample vapor emitted from the liquid of the collection mechanism; and   a ventilation unit integrated with the detection unit and configured to exhaust the vapor subsequent to the vapor having been sampled by the detection unit.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the ventilation unit comprises:
 at least one damper configured as an inlet for drawing-in air.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a floor configured to allow the liquid to fall through the floor and to collect in the collection mechanism; and   a negative pressure ventilation system configured to provide the air to a volume below the floor via at least one opening or a series of openings which are configured so as to collect vapor from all areas of the floor.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the detection unit is integrated with the ventilation unit via a common fan or blower. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the detection unit comprises at least one sensor configured to detect the vapor. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the detection unit is configured to generate a message when the vapor exceeds a threshold, and wherein the message comprises at least one of: an email, a text message, a voice message, a display graphic, and an auditory alarm. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 collecting liquid in a collection mechanism;   detecting, by a detection unit, vapors emitted from the collected liquid; and   exhausting, via a ventilation unit integrated with the detection unit, drawn-in air mixed with the vapors from an enclosure.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the detection unit is integrated with the ventilation unit via a common fan or blower. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the enclosure is coupled to a turbine, and wherein the liquid comprises naphtha leaked by the turbine.